Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system
- Component
- Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system
- Manufacturer
- PIAGGIO USA, INC.
- Vehicles affected
- 1,260
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2009-01-30
- Owners notified
- 2009-03-02
Defect description
PIAGGIO IS RECALLING 1,260 MY 2008-2009 APRILIA SCARABEO 200 MOTORCYCLES. THE FLOAT LEVEL IN THE FLOAT BOWL OF THE CARBURETOR WAS NOT SET CORRECTLY IN PRODUCTION, DIRT AND THE VARNISH RESIDUE OF DRIED GASOLINE NOT ALLOWING THE FLOAT NEEDLE TO SEAT CORRECTLY, AND A BLOCKAGE OF THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION HOSES THAT DID NOT ALLOW THE FLOAT BOWL TO VENT CORRECTLY. THE CARBURETOR WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CORRECT OR CONSTANT PRESSURE IN THE FLOAT BOWL. INCONSISTENT PRESSURE IN THE FLOAT BOWL WOULD EITHER PUSH TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH FUEL TO AND THROUGH THE JETS FOR ANY ONE THROTTLE POSITION WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE CARBURETOR TO CORRECTLY METER FUEL TO THE ENGINE.
Safety risk
FUEL FLOODING THE ENGINE, CAUSING DIFFICULT IN STARTING AND POOR PERFORMANCE. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE CARBURETOR ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL RE-CONNECT THE HOSES TO ELIMINATE THE CONNECTION OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO THE CARBURETOR. THIS REMEDY IS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIAGGIO AT 1-212-380-4431.